MAGazine

The flowing is an extract of a speech made by Mark Orr, ACON President at a NSW Senior's Week — GLBT Event held at the Chauvel Cinema in Darlinghurst, on Sunday, 13 April 2008.

 

‘Thanks also to Queer Screen and the Chauvel Cinema who have worked with ACON to provide what we believe to be an entertaining line up this afternoon; and to our delightful queer matinee dolls who will be         providing us with a truly fabulous afternoon tea intermission.

And, of course, thank you to Aunty Mavis, who as an ‘older’ performer in a community which so strongly clutches to youth, shows us all in a very understated way that age can bring with it grace, wisdom, pride — and an ability to tap dance. She continues to entertain us in ways which     inspire and make us laugh.

Before we get to this afternoon’s mini film festival — Afternoon Delight — there’s a few things we need to remind ourselves of regarding what it is like many people in our community who are growing older.                                                                                                   

 

·                 GLBT people incur real stigma and discrimination at many stages throughout our lives.                                                                                                                                   As a community we need to build social activities and supports so all members of our community feel part and included.  Events such as today are a start.

·                 The GLBT community has a long history of resilience and building effective    responses to its own challenges.                                                                                     Australia’s community-based response to HIV is regarded as being one of the most effective in the world.  Service and support models such as the Community Support Network [CSN] and Mature Age Gays [MAG] are   successful community models which can be looked to when developing new services for an ageing GLBT population.  ACON developed and launched a GLBT Ageing Strategy in 2006, Ageing Disgracefully as         beginning to developing those responses.

·                 In recent years Australia has witnessed a growth in ageing       services in response the rapidly growing ageing population.                                                                              By coming together like we have this afternoon, by participating in groups like MAG and by continuing to put GLBT ageing issues on the agenda of policy makers we can all be a part of a community-based response that creates a more inclusive community.  ACON is pursing a dialogue with the State and Commonwealth governments, as well as the not for profit aged care sector, to develop a continuum of responses that meet our           community’s ageing needs.

·                 Sydney's MAG ( Mature Aged Gays) is one of the world’s largest social and support networks for older gay men.                                                                                   ACON is very proud of its association with MAG.  MAG is one of the few social groups that targets older gay men — and is a spectacularly popular and successful endeavour.  Guys travel long distances to be part of the inclusive and supportive    social activities that MAG offers.  I pay tribute to the MAG Committee and members for their efforts.’

Speech by Mark Orr,

 President of ACON